Volvo S60L Plug-In Hybrid Concept: A Long Production Reality in Disguise

A pair of electric motors, a gasoline turbo four, and plenty of power.

Before you dismiss this long-wheelbase Volvo S60L plug-in hybrid concept debuting at the 2014 Beijing auto show, keep in mind that it likely is headed to the States soon. Well, of course, a plug-in hybrid Volvo wouldn’t arrive in the U.S. in China-friendly long-wheelbase guise, but the hybrid technologies showcased in this S60L concept should hit our market with few changes regardless of which model Volvo decides to put it in.

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Plugging Into the Drive-E Family

Incorporating a system very similar to that shown in Volvo’s XC60 Plug-In hybrid concept way back at the 2012 Detroit auto show, the S60L’s hybrid gear supports the brand’s new turbocharged four-cylinder Drive-E engine. Volvo’s all-new “Drive-E” powertrain lineup is just now hitting the ground in the U.S. in the form of turbocharged four-cylinders in the 2015 S60, V60, S80, and XC60, and the next XC90 will get the high-tech turbocharged and supercharged Drive-E four-cylinder. The S60L Plug-In utilizes the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four as our S60/V60, but it’s augmented with a starter-generator motor fitted between the engine and eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor fitted to the rear axle.

The system differs slightly from the XC60 Plug-In hybrid concept in that the starter-generator backing the engine doesn’t appear to contribute any beans toward forward progress; electric propulsion seems to come solely from the rear-mounted electric motor. That piece puts out a healthy 68 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque, while the gas engine lays down a respectable 238 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An 11.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motors and lives beneath the trunk floor.

Volvo already told us to expect a plug-in hybrid model in the U.S. within a few years—and that was in 2012—so that, combined with the number of specifics the company is offering on this S60L, leads us to believe it is less a concept than a thinly veiled production car. Hence, the Chinese market can probably bank on Volvo’s claimed 31-mile electric-only driving range, with an overall range in “hybrid mode” of up to 621 miles. Drivers unconcerned with fuel efficiency can look forward to a quick 5.5-second 0–62 mph time, which sounds like fun. Three driving modes allow pilots to tailor the car to their liking, and range from Pure (electric only) to Hybrid and Power settings. Volvo also includes an “AWD” button that keeps the engine and rear-axle motor running to provide all-wheel drive traction should it be required.

We’ll need to wait and see whether the plug-in Volvo eventually sends us mirrors this S60L’s format, but we’re pretty confident the U.S.-market version of this powertrain will be nearly identical. The only big difference will be what car Volvo decides to put its plug-in gear into—we’re guessing a new model would be an easy recipient, since the company could design it from the get-go to accept alternative power options. So don’t be surprised if the 2016 XC90 is the first to offer plug-in capability.